Key Figures in Human Development

Study Notes

Biological, cognitive, emotional, and social domains are included in human development.

Multidirectional development: Development is a complex process that occurs in multiple directions and at varying rates.
Context in development: Development takes place within various environments and contexts, such as family, culture, and society.
Continuity in development: Some aspects of development continue to evolve with age, while others remain consistent.
Normative age-graded influences: Events that occur at specific ages/stages in life that are predictable.
Normative history-graded influences: Social and cultural events that influence people who experience them during the same period in history.
Non-normative life events: Unusual/uncommon events like illness, accidents, etc. that disrupt the regular development pattern.
Centenarians: People who live to 100 years or more.
Age range: 18 to 39 years

The scientific method consists of a series of steps scientists use to test theories and gain knowledge.

Theory: A collection of ideas organized and tested to explain observations (events, phenomena).
Operational definitions: Clear definitions of variables to allow everyone to measure variables in exactly the same way.

Descriptive research: Aims to describe the characteristics of a population or phenomenon.
Correlational research: Finds the relationship between variables.
Experimental research: Determines cause-and-effect relationships among variables.
Naturalistic observation method: Studying behavior in a natural setting.
Ethnographic research: Studying people in their natural environment to understand their attitudes and daily life.

Positive correlation: As one variable increases, the other tends to increase.
Negative correlation: As one variable increases, the other tends to decrease.
Curvilinear correlation: The relationship between variables changes direction or pattern as one variable increases.

Independent variables: Variables that are manipulated, and effects are measured on another variable.
Dependent variables: Variables that are measured to determine the effects of the independent variable.
Cross-sectional design: Data collected at one point in time from different age groups.
Longitudinal design: Data collected from the same individuals repeatedly over a long period.
Sequential design: Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal designs for a more comprehensive investigation of development.
Time-series analysis: Tracking changes in a variable over time to analyze patterns.